tow BUICK RANDEZVOUS 2004 Owner's Guide

Parking Brake
The parking brake is
located on the driver’s side
under the instrument panel.
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot and push down on the parking
brake pedal with your left foot.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light will
come on. SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-44.To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right foot while you push down on
the parking brake pedal with your left foot. (To release
the tension on the parking brake cable, you will need to
apply about the same amount of pressure to the
parking brake pedal as you did when you set the parking
brake.) When you remove your foot from the parking
brake pedal, it will pop up to the released position.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-42. That section shows
what to do rst to keep the trailer from moving.
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Shifting Into Park (P)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. If you have left the engine running, the
vehicle can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will
not move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-42.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake with your left foot.2. To move the shift lever into PARK (P),
do the following:
2.1. Pull the lever toward you.
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2.2. Move the lever up as far as it will go.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is rmly set before you leave it. After you
have moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move
the shift lever away from PARK (P) without rst pulling it
toward you. If you can, it means that the shift lever
was not fully locked into PARK (P).
2-28

Running Your Engine While
You Are Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But
if you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-30.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 4-28.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle will not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set your parking
brake and move the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-27.
If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-42.
2-31

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
To reduce glare from lights behind you, pull the lever
toward you to for the night position. To return the mirror
to the day position, push the lever away from you.
The mirror’s two outer buttons operate the lights on the
bottom sides of the mirror.
Outside Power Mirror
The power mirror controls
are located on the driver’s
door armrest.To choose either the left or right outside mirror, press
the selector switch. Press any of the four arrows located
on the control pad to move the mirrors in the desired
direction.
Adjust each mirror so you can see the side of your
vehicle and the area behind your vehicle.
Outside Curb View Assist Mirror
If your vehicle has this feature, the passenger’s outside
rearview mirror will tilt towards the curb when the
vehicle is shifted into REVERSE (R) and return to its
previous position when the vehicle is shifted out
of REVERSE (R). SeeDIC Vehicle Personalization on
page 3-64for information on how to turn this feature
on and off.
2-32

Storage Areas
Glove Box
If the glove box has a lock, put your key into the lock
and turn the key counterclockwise. To open the
glovebox, pull the latch release.
The glove box door has a detent to prevent the door
from lowering too far. Open the glove box until the door
is partway open, then pull the door down if you need
it fully opened.
To close the glove box, the door must be pushed up
past the detent. To lock the glovebox, put your key into
the lock and turn the key clockwise.
Cupholder(s)
There are two cupholders located in the oor console.
The cupholders have liners that remove for larger
beverage items. Remove the liners by lifting them out.
Your vehicle has cupholders located in the rear seat
armrests if it has a split folding rear seat. If your vehicle
has captain’s chairs, there are cupholders on the
sides of the seats. If your vehicle has a stowable seat,
there are cupholders in the center of the seat.
Cell Phone Storage Area
Your vehicle has a cell phone storage compartment
located on the oor console storage closest to the
driver’s seat. Lift the lid to use the storage compartment.
The compartment has an accessory power outlet for
charging the cell phone.
Overhead Console
If your vehicle has an overhead console it may contain
compartments for storage and sunglasses and
HomeLink
®Transmitter buttons.
If your vehicle has the OnStar
®System, the OnStar®
buttons will replace the storage compartment. See
OnStar®System on page 2-33for more information.
If your vehicle has a sunroof, the mini console contains
the HomeLink
®Transmitter buttons and the OnStar®
buttons.
Storage Compartment
To open the storage compartment, located at the front
of the overhead console, press the release latch
forward. Then pull the compartment down to the full
open position.
2-39

Convenience Net
Your vehicle may have a convenience net. The
convenience net is designed to help keep small loads,
like grocery bags, from falling over. Install the
convenience net at the rear of your vehicle, just inside
the liftgate/tailgate opening.
Attach both the upper and lower hooks to the loops on
either side of the liftgate opening. The label on the
net should be in the upper left corner.
The convenience net has a maximum capacity of
100 lbs. (45 kg). It is not designed to hold larger, heavier
loads. Store such loads on the oor of your vehicle,
as far forward as you can.
When not in use, it is recommended that you take down
the rear convenience net to extend its life and retain
its elasticity, and to keep the rear exit clear. Store
the net in one of the storage compartments.
Cargo Cover
If your vehicle has a cargo cover, you can use it to
cover items in the rear of the vehicle. Remove the cover
from its pouch and place the loops found on each
corner of the cover, over the four pegs in each corner of
the rear if the vehicle. When it is not in use, fold up
the cover and return it to the pouch.
Rear Convenience Center
{CAUTION:
If any removable convenience item is not
secured properly, it can move around in a
collision or sudden stop. People in the vehicle
could be injured. Be sure to secure any such
item properly.
Your vehicle may have a rear convenience center.
The rear convenience center can be used to organize
and store items in your vehicle.
The extended rear convenience center, without the
optional third row stowable seat, has a forward bin and
rear bin. The rear convenience center, with the optional
third row stowable seat, contains one storage bin.
To use the convenience center, remove the carpeted mat
and lift the handle(s) on the top of the lid to open the
storage bin.
The extended rear convenience center has a maximum
weight capacity of 400 lbs. (181.6 kg) on top.
The shorter rear convenience center that comes with
the optional third row stowable seat has a maximum
weight capacity of 100 lbs. (45.4 kg) on top.
2-44

5. Lift the rear bin into the back of the vehicle. Place
the rear bin over the center T-shaped wall on the
forward bin. Push down to secure. Align the rear bin
over the rear mounting bolts.
6. Put the nuts back onto the mounting bolts and
tighten.
7. Push and pull on the rear storage system to make
sure that it is locked into place properly.
Removing the Rear Convenience
Center on Vehicles with the Third Row
Stowable Seat
1. Make sure that all items have been removed from
the top and the inside of the rear convenience
center.
2. Lift the handle(s) on the top of the lid to open the
storage bin.
3. Remove the two nuts from inside the storage bin.
The nuts are located in the bottom of the bin.
If you are only removing the convenience center
and not the stowable seat, you must replace these
nuts once the bin is removed to secure the seat.
4. Lift the storage bin and remove it from the rear of
the vehicle.
2-46

Replacing the Rear Convenience
Center on Vehicles with the Third Row
Stowable Seat
1. Make sure that all items have been removed from
the rear of the vehicle.2. Lift the bin into the back of the vehicle. Align the bin
over the rear mounting bolts.
3. Put the nuts back onto the mounting bolts and
tighten.
4. Push and pull on the rear storage system to make
sure that it is locked into place properly.
2-47

If you have a trailer towing option with added wiring for
the trailer lamps, the signal indicator will ash at a
normal rate even if a turn signal bulb is burned
out. Check the front and rear turn signal lamps regularly
to make sure they are working.
Turn Signal On Chime
If either turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 mile
(1,2 km), a chime will sound to let the driver know to turn
it off.
If you need to leave the signal on for more than 3/4 mile
(1,2 km), turn off the signal and then turn it back on.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low to high, push the
turn signal lever away from you. Then release it.
To change the headlamps from high to low, pull the
lever toward you.
When the high beams are
on, this light on the
instrument panel cluster
and the HUD display,
will also be on.
Flash-to-Pass
When the headlamps are off, pull the lever toward you
to momentarily switch on the high beams. This will
signal that you are going to pass. When you release the
lever, they will turn off.
Windshield Wipers
WIPER:Turn the band marked WIPER to control the
windshield wipers.
MIST:For a single wiping cycle, turn the band to MIST.
Hold it there until the wipers start, then let go. The
wipers will stop after one cycle. If you want more cycles,
hold the band on MIST longer.
Delay:For delayed wiping cycles, you can set the
wiper speed for a long or short delay between wipes.
This can be very useful in light rain or snow. Turn
the band to choose the delay time. The closer to LO,
the shorter the delay time.
LO:For steady wiping cycles at low speed, turn the
band away from you to the LO position.
HI:For high-speed wiping, turn the band away from
you to the HI position.
OFF:To stop the wipers, turn the band to OFF.
3-9